Kadar said, "The brother who went mad."
"It wasn't Tarik's fault," Layla said defensively.
"I didn't say it was. I wouldn't know. But I'm trying to find out. If you didn't go mad after taking the potion, why would Chion?"
"He didn't go mad at once. It was later."
"How much later?"
Tarik met his gaze. "Two hundred years."
Kadar went still. "Two hundred . . ."
"As Layla said, he was a gentle, simple man. He had seen too many loved ones die."
"Two hundred years." Kadar couldn't get past that incredible statement. He shook his head. "It's not possible. I thought perhaps eighty. Though that, too, stretches the imagination."
They both looked at him, waiting.
He knew the question for which they were waiting. "How long ago did you take the potion?"
"Ptolemy the Fourteenth was in power. He died the year we left for Greece and his sister Cleopatra was given the throne by Julius Caesar. That was more than forty years before the birth of Christ."
"Before the birth of Christ?" Kadar gazed at them in wonder. "Do you think me mad too?"
"Incredulous, not mad."
"And how long do you claim to be able to live?"
Tarik shrugged. "I make no claims. How could I? We know nothing about this. I could die tomorrow."
"Or live forever?"
"Dear God, I hope not."
"And you haven't aged?"
Tarik shook his head. "Now you see why I feel guilty enough to let you use the grail. It's a great burden I've put on you."
"It's a great gift you've given him," Layla corrected.
"You can see that Layla and I have a different viewpoint regarding Eshe. After Chion died, I couldn't give the potion to anyone else. I didn't have the right."
"Who else has the right?" Layla demanded. "Were we to put it in a cave and let it be forgotten? As the years pass, surely there will come a time when it will be safe to bring it to light."
"And that time is not now?" Kadar asked.
"Some of the herbs are rare. We could make only a small amount each year. Do you realize the uproar that would shake Christendom if everyone knew about it and we couldn't offer it to all?"
"Oh, yes." Kadar's lips twisted. "And you'd be fortunate not to be burned at the stake for sorcery--or blasphemy."
"I've been close to that point twice quite recently," Layla said. "Bad judgment. This is a terrible dark time, and not everyone can accept gifts. It frightens them."
"I wonder why?" Kadar asked dryly.
Tarik was looking at Layla. "You didn't tell me."
"Why should I think you'd care? You weren't there. You were living happily at Sienbara with your Rosa." Her lips tightened. "I'm surprised you weren't tempted to give Eshe to her."
